Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Mission Accomplished!

I'm sort of scared of commissions. It's tricky to balance personal artistry with a client's desires. My mentor, Stephen Chesley, only takes "first refusals". So...if it's good enough for him, it's what I do too! Basically, if a client's idea is appealing, I'll do it. They are under no obligation to purchase it. I am under no obligation to make changes if it doesn't satisfy. The clients like my "In Box Series" but needed a specific....very large....size. They wanted me to add peacock feathers. The work is done. It will be part of an upcoming show at Gallery 80808....right outside my studio door. The show is called "80808 on 8-08-08". The resident artists are mounting this exhibition along with some of the former tenants. If the clients like it, they will have that opportunity before the show opens. It can hang with a "red dot" or be available for another art lover! The Olympics open that day too. I'll be in SWEDEN at the embroidery symposium! The publicity for this show is due now, and I'm leaving from Manchester in two and a half hours (4 PM Tuesday!) Mission Accomplished!

(Click on image to enlarge. Crazy Blues in progress!)When I leave, I'll be taking Crazy Blues with me. I pinned on all these wonderful pieces of vintage crochet and tatting, trim, and scraps of lace. I've been stitching like "crazy" to get all the pins out before trying to go through airport security. Mission Accomplished!

5 comments:

Sounds like a really great way to handle commissions! It turned out great and what a large size too! Your lace additions on Crazy Blues looks good. Can't wait to see it with all the stitches on it! Once again you are a whirlwind of BUSY!! Congrats on the show and have fun in Sweden!!

Wow Susan, I love the new pieces with the peacock feathers. Beautiful.

I wanted to let you know that I went to Pickens today. I love Blues Chapel. It's wonderful the photos here of the exhibit pieces are good, but can't do justice to them. I really enjoyed seeing it and love the way you have everything set up. That would make a great meditation room!!

I never thought about what a commission is. Thanks for the insight. I didn't even realize that people might tell an artist what to do. It seems strange to me but what do I know! Have a great time in England..hope Steve finally go there! And some day we'll get to do something together again! I really look forward to it. Oh...you can always come over and help me move, if you want! ha ha

Your Peacock Boxes is totally fabulous! I have peacocks so am naturally drawn to anything to do with them but this piece really rocks! This is the first time I have visited your blog and I am glad I did.Jan

In Death, an invitational exhibition at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts. July 13 - December 3, 2017. Included piece: My Epitaph Quilt.

Threads: Gathering My Thoughts, an installation in collaboration with the South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia,SC. Weekdays from 8:30 - 5:00, September 18 - October 27th.

Anonymous Ancestors, a solo show at The University of South Carolina Upstate's Gallery on Main, 172 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC from September 12 - November 4th. Art Walk reception on September 21 from 5 - 8.

In Stitches, a solo show at Waterworks Visual Arts Center in Salisbury, NC from September 9, 2017 through January 3, 2018. This exhibit will feature selected pieces from the "In Box" and "Stained Glass" series as well as Circles, an installation responding to the upcoming total solar eclipse.

HERstory, a juried traveling art quilt exhibition debuting at the International Quilt Festival and Market, Houston, TX from October 28 - November 5, 2017 and going on to "Road to California" quilt show in Ontario, CA from Jan. 18 - 21, 2018 and the Utah Quilt and Sewing Marketplace, Sandy, Utah from May 3 - 5, 2018. Including piece: Jackie Kennedy (Onassis).

Fly Me to the Moon, a juried traveling art quilt exhibit. January 19-22, 2017 during the "Road to California" in Ontario, CA; May 4-6, 2017 at the 14th Annual HMQS Home Machine Quilting and Sewing in Salt Lake City, Utah; June 2-4 at Quilters Unlimited in Chantilly, VA; June 22-24 at Sew Original Quilt and Creative Expos in Reno, NV; January, 2018; World Quilt Show New England in New Hampshire August 17-20, 2017; Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza September 14-17; and May 11 thru 22, 2018 Bad Lauterberg im Harz, Germany. Included piece: Tang and the Miles to the Moon.

About Me

Using a needle and thread for self-expression, I
work to create art that reflects my interest in the concept of time.Memory, universal mortality, and personal
legacy are central themes.Vintage and
recycled materials are combined with meticulous handwork. Stitched text and
free motion machine embroidery add visual and emotional layers. Work is often
exhibited in an installation format in order to better communicate message
through an accessible atmosphere.I am drawn
to textiles for their tactile qualities and often make work that is meant to
touch and be touched.

PRECIOUS: Making a Plan for Your Precious Possessions

WORK FOR SALE!

Artist Statement

Generally using needle and thread for self-expression, Susan Lenz works to articulate the accumulated memory inherent in discarded things.She seeks a partnership with her materials, their purposes, values, and familiar associations. Memory, universal mortality, and personal legacy are central themes.Vintage and recycled materials are combined with meticulous handwork.Susan is drawn to textiles for their tactile qualities and often makes work that is meant to touch and be touched.